Your Questions Answered
Question:
Are you under contract to write x number of books for the Alice series? Did you decide way in advance how many books you would be writing and then make a deal to follow through? Do you ever feel like you’re writing about Alice because you have to and that you really would like to stop or take a break for awhile, but can’t, due to prearranged deadlines? Basically, what I’m asking has to do with obligation versus desire. I’ve always been interested in how writers focus a series around a pivotal character for an extended length of time. I know so many who do and it’s something I’ve thought about myself, yet I’ve wondered if I could sustain an interesting plot and character development for all those pages. I respect and admire you and your books have been invaluable not just to my childhood, but to my life as a reader.
Phyllis replied:
When my editor and I decided many years ago that I would extend the first Alice book into a series, it was all very much up in the air. I agreed to do it as long as I did not have to write more than one book per year, and that Alice could get older in each book, so I wouldn’t feel as though I were stuck in a sitcom. Somewhere along the way I told my readers that there would be 28 books (about three books for every year of Alice’s life up until age 18. And the final book would take her from 18 to 60). The publisher gave me a contract for about three or five Alice books at a time. Usually I felt quite excited when it was time to start another book, and had a general idea of what would be in it. As she grew older, of course, her interests became more sophisticated, and some people (usually parents) tried to ban one or more of the Alice books in their children’s school. Once in a while they succeeded, but usually schools and libraries went to bat for me. The more books I wrote, however, the more letters I received. Most readers loved the series just as they were, but some readers wanted Alice to live in another country for awhile; some wanted to know why she and her friends never tried drugs; wanted her to do more community service projects; wanted her to learn Spanish, to have more pets, play an instrument, play sports, etc. etc. and I simply had to focus on the girl I had created and try my best to keep it honest.
Posted on: October 28, 2012
Question:
I have yet to read the newest installment of your Alice series but intend to buy it for my Kindle soon. I have noticed, however, that according to the reviews that your readers have written on different book sites, that they’ve reacted with disappointment to Alice Aboard. I’m just wondering if you read the reviews that your readers write, or if you try to avoid seeing them. If you do see them, do you ever agree with anything they say, even if it is a criticism? Or do you not really pay any attention to their opinions at all?
Why do you believe reviews for Alice Aboard are so negative? Do you think the change in setting had something to do with it? The line of thought a lot of your readers seem to offer is that things are happening to characters on the cruise and not to Alice herself — she is basically just narrating the events unfolding around her. They say the characters we’ve grown to love have taken a back seat to new characters and become peripheral. Why did you decide to introduce so many new characters? Should readers expect them to have impact beyond Alice Aboard?
I’m really very curious with how you approach reviews. Do you see them as valuable feedback or opinions that don’t really impact what you do? I’m sorry for being redundant. I’m definitely not trying to be rude. I’ve been reading Alice for years — practically half my life at this point. I’ve loved how she’s grown and changed, and I will be genuinely sorry when the series comes to an end.
Phyllis replied:
Your letter was so long that I only posted half of it here. I read most of my reviews, but there are dozens and dozens of places that review my books and I don’t have time to search for them all. I did notice that a number of writers did not like “Alice on Board” as much as some of my other books, and there are probably a number of reasons for that: first, perhaps I really didn’t do as good a job writing it; secondly, some readers don’t like the books that take her out of her familiar Silver Spring setting (I also got negative feedback on “Patiently Alice” when she and her friends became counselors in a summer camp, though others loved that book most of all); Alice is growing up, and many readers miss the funny dialogue between her and Patrick when she asks questions about life at the dinner table, etc. etc. So I have readers who want the series to stay in familiar territory, then I have my editor wanting more diverse settings and plots and friendships. I had truly thought that Alice’s friendship with Mitch onboard the ship, and the trauma of Pamela’s mom were interesting enough to write about . All I can do is try to get inside Alice’s skin and think of what she would most likely do next, and what new friendships her experiences would bring.
Posted on: October 28, 2012
Question:
hey phyllis! i want your opinion on a disagreement i’m currently having with my parents. they have always raised me to be very careful with money and have taught me to as stay far away from debt as possible. i’m 20 years old and attend college in another state away from them. i work part-time and have my own savings account so i don’t 100% rely on my parents for money. the problem is, my parents refuse to let me have a credit card. i’m concerned that by the time i want to buy a house or make any large purchases my credit score won’t be high enough. i’m assuming they don’t trust me with money. they say it’s not necessary, but i feel like i should be building my credit now while i’m young. i don’t want to go behind their backs to get one either. i feel like it would be wise to only put gas on it and easily pay it off each month to begin to build my credit. do you have any opinions on this situation? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you!!!
Phyllis replied:
I think you have a good argument, and in general I agree that it’s a good idea to begin building your credit. I don’t know you, however, so don’t know if your parents have cause to worry about what might happen if you have a credit card. But I also feel that young people need to learn from their own mistakes. If you can trust yourself to only put gas on your card, and you are positive you have enough to cover that by alwayspaying the full amount, and never needing to pay interest, then I think you should be allowed to try it. Perhaps you could simply go ahead and get the card, then tell your parents after the fact. Let them in on your decision and even show them your bank statement from time to time to let them know you are responsible.
Posted on: October 18, 2012
Question
In Alice on the Outside, when Liz says that homosexual feelings themselves are not a sin, but acting on those feelings is sinful, Alice quips something like, “Isn’t that like saying it’s not a sin to be hungry, but it’s a sin to eat?” I’ve always wondered: Did you make that up, or did you hear it somewhere? Either way, I love it.
Phyllis replied:
That’s my own expression, but I’m sure the thought is not original. There are many people who disagree with the “love the homosexual but hate the sin,” or the attitude that since God made us all the way we are, it’s not a sin to be a homosexual as long as you don’t make love to a man (or a woman, if you’re lesbian). Which makes me want to ask what kind of God would create homosexuals and then sentence them to a loveless life?
Posted on: October 18, 2012
Question:
A Certain Loss, a Special Find by Angelique Clark
It’s not the way his story’s told
or how he went from young to old.
The man you’ve lost is not a name,
he’s not a stranger in a frame.
You knew him, and he knew you,
You know him, and he knows you.
Heaven is far, but your heart is near,
he is gone…but he’s still here.
I hope you like it. I’m a writer, and while I was finishing up a story somewhwat like the Alice books, I remembered you.
Phyllis replied:
Thank you. Since you gave your OK for me to print your name, I felt I ought to use it here, since
the poem is your property and you need to receive credit. I appreciate the sentiment.
Posted on: October 18, 2012
Question:
Hi! I love your Alice books, they’re really funny and heart-warming. I have some questions. One is: did “Always Alice” come out? Another is: What age is suitable to read “Always Alice”? The last one is: Can you make another movie on any of the Alice books? Hope you reply, and thanks for writing all those entertaining Alice books for us to read!
Phyllis replied:
Always Alice, the very last book in the Alice series, will be published in the fall of 2013. If you are old
enough to read the books about Alice in her senior year of high school, I think you are old enough to
read Always Alice. I don’t know if another movie will be made of Alice or not. The producers who made
“Alice Upside Down” own all the movie rights.
Posted on: September 19, 2012
Question:
I’ve been reading the Alice books since third grade and they were always fun to read. But now I’m a sophmore in high school and I’m reading Incredibly Alice and It’s frustrating me to no end. Firstly, why did you write it so Jill and Justin get married like that and like NO ONE thought twice about it and were almost encouraging Jill’s golddigging. Last year I had a friend who got pregnant in her senior year, and we were happy for her, but we were still concerned about her future and she certainly wasn’t bragging about it to everyone. Secondly, why did you put the part about the labia? I mean really?! I feel like its just trying to hard, no teenage girl worries about that. Either way I’m enjoying the book, rushed plot and all.
Phyllis replied:
Because Alice and her friends were not being judgmental does not mean they approved of Jill and Justin’s plan to get her pregnant. Alice has had problems with Jill’s behavior for several years, but Jill and Justin have also been dating exclusively all that time, and it was their answer to the situation with Justin’s mom, however unwise. As for the worry about labia, I include in the Alice books things that readers write to me about, and I have had a number of letters about the issue of not feeling “normal” down there, mostly because girls aren’t that familiar with the normal variations in female genitalia. Boys have it easier in that regard. They can see every part of a guy’s anatomy in the showers at school, but girls’ female parts are largely hidden, even from themselves. And if they happen upon some pictures in a porn magazine, they tend to compare themselves with what another girl looks like when she’s really exposed, something you just don’t usually see, not even in the showers.
Posted on: September 19, 2012
Question:
Hello first of all just wanted to say that I have been reading your books since I was in 6th grade I am currently in college!! I’ve also wrote to you for advice and for some reason I can always count on it! Ok so this guy who I have been with for two years but also went out with for a year when I was in high school. So last summer I was so in love we planned our future together and my family loves him. He started working with his dad and completely ignored me and made me feel like I was exaggerating because he made time for me only on Sundays. His dad made him work I would get mad that he spent about 4 nights with his friends but only made time for me. Then I got pregnant. He was happy about it and he “freaked” out. I got depressed and lost 10 pounds. My family did not know about me being pregnant. Then he just completely stop talking to me and was willing to do anything for him. He pretty much told me to get an abortion and I did because of how vulnerable I was. Then after he ignored me once again. I regretted what I had done. Once he saw me going out with my friends he began talking to me again and I gave him another chance. However this summer it happened all over again. He began to ignore me and be with his friends. I have broken up with him since July and I put on a strong face but I really do miss him. He doesn’t try to fix things with me. Am I just holding on to the memories? I don’t understand him because he doesn’t try to fix things because he says he is a “bad boyfriend” should I completely stop talking to him to move on? Also he registered for the same class so that makes it difficult. To move on should I just not acknowledge him or try to be friendly? I know you’re not a psychologists or anything lol but I felt I needed to vent.
Phyllis replied:
Welll, let’s see. He ignores you, freaked out when you got pregnant (did he object to using a condom?), spends most of his time with friends, doesn’t try to fix things up between you, and tells you outright that he is a bad boyfriend, and you maybe should hang on to him because why? I think you have answered your own questions, and you know in your heart of hearts that if you had a daughter whom you loved dearly, and she came to you with the same questions you’re asking me, you would tell her she deserves someone better than that. So do you. You’ve heard it before, but really and truly you need to start showing yourself some love and consideration. Girls who are able to do that, who have a plan for their lives and can get on with it, with or without a guy, are the ones who are most attractive.
Posted on: September 19, 2012
Question:
I have a question. The book titled Alice in Charge has 2 different book covers. Are they both the same? I love all the Alice books and I don’t want the series to end. They’re that good.
Phyllis replied:
It’s really confusing, I know. Both covers are the same book. When an Alice book is published, it comes out first in hardcover, with a different cover than all the ones before, and a year later a paperback comes out with a different cover from that. Somewhere down the line the publisher may decide that the next hardcover edition needs a new cover. A few years later some of the books come out together in a new binding, a new cover, and they all have different covers still. In the last few years, the publisher has put all three books of Alice’s freshman year into one big paperback, and not only put still another cover on it, but gave it a brand new name. Same with sophomore, junior, and senior years. It’s hard enough for me to keep track of them all, and I can only imagine what it must be like for you. But that’s publishing! A good librarian or bookstore person can help you sort it all out.
Posted on: September 18, 2012
Question:
i was wondering how did you come up with the idea to write about alice
Phyllis replied:
I was thinking how important role models are to young girls. I loved my own mother very much, but I didn’t necessarily want to look like her or dress like her or act like her. I wanted to be my own person, but I wasn’t sure what that person was like. So I started to write a book about such a girl, except that her own mother would be dead, and she would very much be looking for role models. And the plot sort of took off after that.
Posted on: September 18, 2012
Phyllis on Twitter
Alice's Blog
Phyllis on Facebook
